Lewis Hamilton was clean, mature and lightning quick but Max Verstappen put early mishaps behind him to finish strong – Sportsmail reflect on the highs and lows of F1 season

Lewis Hamilton was consistent and raced like a true champion this season

This year’s US Grand Prix was a real thriller and is a race to look back on fondly

Max Verstappen produced the best one liner after being quizzed on his mishaps

The new halo device was a god send with more spectacular crashes this season

By

Jonathan McEvoy for the Daily Mail

Published:
22:30 GMT, 25 November 2018

| Updated:
01:19 GMT, 26 November 2018

Lewis Hamilton finished the F1 season in style as he claimed his 11th victory in an action-packed Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday.

There’s no denying the season belongs to the Mercedes driver, whose consistency saw him brush aside the challenge of Sebastian Vettel to convincingly win the Drivers’ Championship in the end.

But as ever, a F1 season always throws up it’s fair share of drama and surprises too. Here, Sportsmail’s JONATHAN MCEVOY reflects on the highs and the lows of what was another thrilling season for the sport.

Lewis Hamilton finished the F1 season in style by winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday

Driver of the Year

Lewis Hamilton in the form of his life. Lightning quick over one lap — Singapore being the highlight, a mature judge of when to attack and when to exercise caution — Monza the zenith. He has not made a notable error.

Aged 31, he stands higher in the estimation of his peers than at any time, as is evident in press conference exchanges.

He also holds a rare distinction among modern greats of never having fought dirty on track and that makes him a champion in excelsis.

Race of the Year

The US Grand Prix, the nerve-jangler where Hamilton came so close to winning the title. The Brit lit up the timing screens, but Mercedes’ error in bringing him in early for new tyres proved decisive.

Near the end you could have thrown a blanket over the leading three cars. Five-million British television viewers, more than watched X Factor on the other side, were gripped.

The US Grand Prix was a real thriller with Kimi Raikkonen denying Hamilton an early coronation

Quote of the Year

Verstappen was on a run of mishaps at the first six races, hitting all the big guns including his team-mate Daniel Ricciardo.

What was up? He was less than impressed by this line of interrogation, saying: ‘I think if I get a few more questions (about crashing) I’ll head-butt someone.’

But he has finished the season dazzlingly. Max v Lewis next season? The dream scenario.

Snack of the Year

Sportsmail’s revelation that McLaren’s disgruntled staff were being handed 25p Freddo chocolate bars as bonuses highlighted a malaise within the underperforming team. Eric Boullier paid with his job as racing director.

Nothing has improved results-wise since, but McLaren insist they have laid the groundwork for an upturn by shuffling staff in, out and around.

Upon that hope hangs the future of chief executive Zak Brown. Good luck with that.

Zak Brown’s long-term future at McLaren looks in danger after another substandard season

Moan of the Year

Monaco glistens, but this year’s race was boring even by the somnolent standards of the old principality.

There is a plan to reclaim land from the sea and it is my suggestion that they look to redraw part of the track to include an overtaking opportunity or two. Radical, I know.

Gamble of the Year

It was a shock when Sportsmail revealed that Daniel Ricciardo was leaving Red Bull for Renault. His boss Christian Horner thought the Aussie was winding him up when he told him.

But how does Ricciardo feel now? Nervous, one expects. His Renault engine inside the Red Bull has conked out on him at nearly every turn since.

Smash of the Year

Cigar-smoking neurologist Prof Sid Watkins, the pioneer of so many safety improvements, has gone, but the FIA’s quest to save drivers from the most spectacular of crashes continues to amaze.

Charles Leclerc’s head was protected from a potentially fatal impact with Fernando Alonso’s flying McLaren by the new halo device in Spa.

Five days later at Monza, there were scuff marks on Marcus Ericsson’s halo, after his Sauber bounced off the ground. But, hey, no bones broken. We move on.

Charles Leclerc was saved by new halo device when Fernando Alonso’s car flipped on to his

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